The HBS Bank Hawks have ended their four game losing streak, also ending the Fico Finance Nelson Giants unbeaten record at home, with a convincing 87-70 win.

Paora Winitana led all scorers with 23, while American Brian Greene added 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Bay came out guns blazing, outscoring the home side 35-16 in the first quarter and took an 18 point lead at half time.

As has been the theme for the Giants this season, they would make a comeback in the second half, closing to within seven in the final quarter.

But the visitors regrouped and went on an 11-1 run, which pushed their lead back up to a comfortable enough position to seal win number three and more importantly keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

It was an ugly performance from Nelson, after having the longest active winning streak at five, but their two leading scorers Josh Pace and Erron Maxey had relatively quiet night’s, combining for 10/30 from the field.

Nelson were also not helped that Mika Vukona would foul out in 26 minutes and veteran Phill Jones held to zero points.

Head Coach Tab Baldwin will be pleased in particular with Dion Prewster, who gave the Hawks valuable minutes off the bench, making all six of is field goal attempts to score 15.

In Dunedin the OceanaGold Nuggets have survived a scare, holding out the Telecom Business Hub Jets 95-93 at home, making it their tenth win of the season.

It looked like Manawatu were going have another large loss, when the Nuggets took an early fifteen point in the first half.

But behind import Marcel Jones (25 points) and Nick Horvath (22 points), the Jet rallied in the third to close the gap to three heading into the final period.

Eight minutes into the fourth, the Jets took their first lead of the game, from a Jeremiah Trueman field goal and from there on, each team would take turns with the lead.

Jones would tie the ball game with little time remaining, and it looked like the Nuggets were heading into their second consecutive overtime game at home.

But captain Mark Dickel would be fouled by Jones on the buzzer, and would make both free throws to secure win number ten.

Akeem Wright had a big game for Otago, scoring 28 points, which included six of eleven treys, and added 12 rebounds.

It was a hard night at the office for forward Beny Anthony, who was plagued with foul trouble and shot 6/17 for his 17 points.

Manawatu have now lost their last three of four, but it is extremely hard for teams to secure win’s in Dunedin and Invercargill, where the Nuggets and Sharks are a combined 13-1 at home this season.

They are still yet to play both the Sharks an Nuggets at home, which will most probably decide their playoff fate.

Earlier on tonight, The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs gave the Advice First Waikato Pisons their tenth loss of the season, final score 97-84.

Pistons took an early ten point lead during the opening period, but Taranaki would quickly bounce back and end the period only trailing by one.

Waikato could not find an answer for guard Jack Leasure, who had 23 first half points, and 32 for the game.

Airs outscored the Pistons 31-14 in the second quarter, which they would extend after the break to 18 points going into the final stanza.

Pistons would close to within nine points with a minute to go, but it was too little to late, as they will now travel to Waitakere tomorrow to play the James Blond Super City Rangers in the hopes getting their first win.

Airs now go to 4-8 and the one consistent this season has been the play of Link Abrams who had 26 points, off 12/15 from the field.

Garrius Holloman was the top scorer for Waikato with 21, while Tai Webster added 17.

Saturday, June 8

Fico Finance Nelson Giants 70 (Brook Ruscoe 16, Josh Pace 16, Josh Bloxham 13) HBS Bank Hawks 87 (Paora Winitana 23, Brian Greene 21, Dion Prewster 15), Final

Referees – Melony Wealleans, Yalla Edwards, Brent O’Hagan
1Q: 16-35
HT: 32-50 (16-15)
3Q: 56-68 (24-18)
FT: 70-87 (14-19)
Live Stats

At Edgar Centre, Dunedin

OceanaGold Nuggets 95 (Akeem Wright 28, Antoine Tisby 19, Beny Anthony 17) Telecom Business Hub Jets 93 (Marcel Jones 23, Nick Horvath 22, Chris Hagan 18), Final

Referees – Raewyn Willocks, Gavin Zimmerman, Matt Bathurst
1Q: 35-20
HT: 51-39 (16-19)
3Q: 74-71 (23-32)
FT: 95-93 (21-22)
Live Stats

At Hamilton Boys High, Hamilton

Advice First Waikato Pistons 84 (Garrius Holloman 21, Tai Webster 19, Zack Atkinson 17) The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs 97 (Jack Leasure 32, Link Abrams 26, Brad Anderson 14), Final

Referees – Dallas Pickering, Miguel Gallardo, Kelly McLeod
1Q: 27-26
HT: 41-57 (14-31)
3Q: 62-80 (21-23)
FT: 84-97 (22-27)
Live Stats

At Trafalgar Centre, Nelson